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Meningitis Research Paper

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Meningitis is a neurological disorder characterized by inflammation of the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord which protect the central nervous system (Rowland, Pedley, and Merritt, 2010). These membranes are; the dura mater, the pia mater, and the arachnoid mater. Determining whether the condition is viral or bacterial is important because while viral meningitis does not cause serious illness, bacterial meningitis is very serious. Bacterial meningitis requires urgent treatment because it can lead to death or brain damage. Viral meningitis, which is also known as aseptic meningitis, causes prolonged seizures and fever and a patient can get well within two weeks. It is also important to know the type of bacteria causing meningitis …show more content…
Inflammatory mediators are then released against the endothelial surface which regulates vascular permeability. The endothelium lining starts leaking water and proteins from the intravascular to extravascular compartments making the patient hypovolemic. To compensate for reduction in circulating volume, splanchnic circulation and perfusion to skin is reduced while heart rate and contractility increases. At this stage, patients are alert as blood flows to the brain at the expense of other vital organs. Micro-vascular thrombosis, ischemia and vasoconstriction leads to multiple organ failure. The hemorrhagic necrosis in the skin and clotting of the small blood vessels thus brings about loss of digits, skin, and …show more content…
This occurs as bacteria enter the blood-brain barrier leading to an initiation of a CSF inflammatory response by the endotoxin and inflammatory mediators. This causes protein and fluid to leak out of the cerebral vasculature. Cerebral edema and vascular thrombosis occurs leading to raising brain water content and intracranial pressure. The increase in pressure and thrombosis causes a reduction in cerebral perfusion and eventual cerebral infarction and brain death.
Meningitis is sometimes hard to recognize as it may progress with no symptoms at all. The disorder might show flu-like symptoms, however the real signs and symptoms are; nausea, vomiting, muscle pain, headache, high fever, cold feet and feet, and a rash that does not disappear under pressure. The rash is caused by leakage of blood into tissue under the skin and usually spreads

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